On June 26 and 27, 2017 the third international innovation workshop on colon cancer takes place in Heidelberg. Under the heading ‘How to eliminate Colon Cancer. A Road Map’ the organizers set themselves an ambitious goal. In the course of the two-day event a strategy plan with sustainable nationwide measures for prediction, prevention and early diagnosis of colon cancer will be developed. The Network against Colon Cancer organizes the meeting together with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the National Centre for Tumor Diseases (NCT), the Heidelberg University Hospital and the Felix Burda Foundation. Scientists and physicians can as of now register for the two-day event.
The NCT is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Heidelberg University Hospital and the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe).
Colon cancer is with 62,430 new cases and 25,999 deaths per year in Germany high up on the list of fatal cancers. Good news: If diagnosed early, colon cancer is curable to almost 100 percent. That is because the tumor is growing slowly and is benign in its preliminary stages. The colonoscopy displays a preventive examination, which can be used to detect an existing carcinoma at early stage and simultaneously to remove it. Nevertheless to date only about 30 percent of the insured persons make use of their right of colonoscopy screening. Since April 1, 2017 the health insurances cover the costs of an immunochemical test, which proofs blood in the stool much more reliable than the common test used before.
An organized program for colon cancer screening is up to now not established in Germany and new screening test are often only integrated in the health care system with a delay of years. How could one implement a colon cancer screening program for all persons above 50 years of age? Role model is the Netherlands: The Dutch send personal invitations together with an immunochemical stool test to the citizens. Included is moreover a stamped envelope for sending it to the laboratory. Thereby the Dutch reached a participation rate of more than 70 percent in the first year. ‘The most efficient measure to eliminate colon cancer is a participation rate in the preventive screenings that is as high as possible’ says Christa Maar, member of the managing board of the Felix Burda Foundation and president of the Network against Colon Cancer. ‘Reason enough to use our third innovation workshop to translate the scientific discoveries and new developments of this field in a strategic roadmap, which has the potential to sustainably improve the preventive screenings.’
Key elements of the event are two interactive panel discussions. Here the strategy plan of Heidelberg to improve the colon cancer prevention will be worked out. Moderated by Thomas Schnelle, the present people will collect all current facts and a concept to eliminate colon cancer in the long-term will be developed. A possible approach sees Christof von Kalle, executing director of the NCT, in the management of the scientific and clinical data. ‘The methods of data analysis offers fascinating possibilities to make all information about the cancer of our patients accessible, so that we can make wiser decisions at the bedside’, says von Kalle.
More than 300 experts from all over the world are expected for the third innovation workshop at the end of June. Speakers from the US, Great Britain, Switzerland, Israel, the Netherlands and Germany will present their recent research results about colon cancer to the audience. This year’s main focuses are on the one hand on the predictive risk assessment and the development of innovative prevention and early recognition strategies, especially for persons with familiar and inherited colon cancer, as well as on the role of the microbiom and life style. On the other hand new therapy approaches will be discussed. The main talks will be held by Otmar Wiestler, president of the Helmholtz Association, about the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) - a nationwide network in cancer research. Andrew Morris of the University Edinburgh will discuss the value of huge amount of data for research and care.
The international workshop ‘Innovations in Oncology’ takes place on June 26 and 27, 2017 at the communication center of the German Cancer Research Center in the ‘Neuenheimer Feld 280’ in Heidelberg. Talks will be held in English.
Journalists are cordially invited. Please inform us beforehand about your coming and your interview wishes. Your contact person is Dr. Friederike Fellenberg, NCT Public Relations, Phone +49 (0)6221 56-5930, friederike.fellenberg@nct-heidelberg.de
Further information and the program of the event you can find here:
www.nct-heidelberg.de/xcrc2017
Press Offices:
Dr. Friederike Fellenberg
Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (NCT) Heidelberg
Press and Public Relations
Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
69120 Heidelberg
Germany
Tel.: +49 6221 56-5930
Fax: +49 6221 56-5350
E-Mail: friederike.fellenberg@nct-heidelberg.de
www.nct-heidelberg.de
Dr. Sybille Kohlstädt
Head of Press and Public Relations
German Cancer Research Center
Im Neuenheimer Feld 280
D-69120 Heidelberg
T: +49 6221 42 2843
F: +49 6221 42 2968
presse@dkfz.de
www.dkfz.de
Doris Rübsam-Brodkorb
Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg und Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Heidelberg
Press Officer and Head of Press and Public Relations
Im Neuenheimer Feld 672
69120 Heidelberg
Germany
Tel.: +49 6221 56-5052
Fax: +49 6221 56-4544
E-Mail: doris.ruebsam-brodkorb@med.uni-heidelberg.de
www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de
The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Aid. The NCT's goal is to link promising approaches from cancer research with patient care from diagnosis to treatment, aftercare and prevention. The interdisciplinary tumor outpatient clinic is the central element of the NCT. Here the patients benefit from an individual treatment plan prepared in a timely manner in interdisciplinary expert rounds, the so-called tumor boards. Participation in clinical studies provides access to innovative therapies. The NCT thereby acts as a pioneering platform that translates novel research results from the laboratory into clinical practice. The NCT cooperates with self-help groups and supports them in their work. 2015 the NCT Heidelberg established a partner location in Dresden.
The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)
The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) with its more than 3,000 employees is the largest biomedical research institute in Germany. At DKFZ, more than 1,000 scientists investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and endeavor to find new strategies to prevent people from getting cancer. They develop novel approaches to make tumor diagnosis more precise and treatment of cancer patients more successful. The staff of the Cancer Information Service (KID) offers information about the widespread disease of cancer for patients, their families, and the general public. Jointly with Heidelberg University Hospital, DKFZ has established the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, where promising approaches from cancer research are translated into the clinic. In the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), one of six German Centers for Health Research, DKFZ maintains translational centers at seven university partnering sites. Combining excellent university hospitals with high-profile research at a Helmholtz Center is an important contribution to improving the chances of cancer patients. DKFZ is a member of the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers, with ninety percent of its funding coming from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the remaining ten percent from the State of Baden-Württemberg.
Heidelberg University Hospital and Medical Faculty Heidelberg
Health care, research and teaching of international standing
Heidelberg University Hospital is one of the most important medical centers in Germany; Heidelberg University's Medical Faculty is one of Europe's most prestigious biomedical research facilities. Their shared objective is the development of innovative diagnostics and treatments and their prompt implementation for the benefit of the patient. The hospital and faculty employ approximately 12 600 individuals and are involved in training and qualification. Every year approximately 66 000 patients are treated as inpatients or day patients in more than 50 specialized clinical departments with about 1 900 beds, with more than 1 million patients being treated as outpatients. The Heidelberg Curriculum Medicinale (HeiCuMed) is at the forefront of medical training in Germany. At present approx. 3500 prospective physicians are studying in Heidelberg.